Busting Brackets
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Mountain West Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Joey Loose

Feb 28, 2022; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Chad Baker-Mazara (20) celebrates a win against the Wyoming Cowboys at Arena-Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2022; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Chad Baker-Mazara (20) celebrates a win against the Wyoming Cowboys at Arena-Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mountain West Basketball Fresno State Bulldogs guard Anthony Holland Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Mountain West Basketball Fresno State Bulldogs guard Anthony Holland Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Fresno State

Fresno State really bounced back last year, finishing 23-13, yet still under .500 in a very tough MWC. Defense played a major role for Justin Hutson’s squad, and it could come in handy again this season with some decent expectations for the Bulldogs. Unfortunately, Hutson won’t quite be bringing back all of his best weapons from last season.

Star forward Orlando Robinson (19.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg last year) is off to the NBA Draft, leaving quite the hole to fill. Fortunately, a slew of talented guards return from last year, highlighted by talented point guard Isaiah Hill (10.1 ppg). The Bulldogs get Anthony Holland, Jordan Campbell, and Leo Colimerio back and will expect steps forwards from all three of these guards. To help fill Robinson’s role in the paint, the Bulldogs added forward Isaih Moore, who’s already played at three D1 schools, and former Nebraska center Eduardo Andre.

Replacing Robinson isn’t easy, as this could’ve been a potential conference champion with him back in the lineup. There are a few new pieces that’ll take up some of those frontcourt minutes, but this team is leaning heavily on a group of guards to pick up the brunt of the offense. There’s certainly cause for optimism with much of the lineup back again; it all depends on how everything comes together, especially trying to replace the impact Robinson had on the defensive end.